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Spit Eats into Base of Bridge
The Telegraph India ^
| 5/24/2010
| The Telegraph India
Posted on 06/04/2010 9:58:56 PM PDT by Dallas59
Spit-o-cracy is threatening the safety of Howrah bridge with the daily onslaught of gutkha spat out by pedestrians corroding the protective hoods at the base of its pillars. Officials of Calcutta Port Trust, the custodian of the 67-year-old bridge that bears the weight of over a lakh vehicles every day, said the commuters collective spit power had reduced the thickness of the steel hoods protecting the pillars from six to three millimetre since 2007.
Gutkha contains highly corrosive elements that erode even steel. A safety audit is now being planned to find out the effect of constant spitting and several other factors on the stability of the hangers that transfer the load of traffic uniformly across the structure, a senior port trust official told Metro on Sunday.
Forensic sciences expert Biswanath Kahali confirmed that accumulation of gutkha-laced spit on steel would have the same effect that acid has.
Slaked lime combined with catechu and tannin, which are all components of gutkha, form an organic compound that acts as a corrosive agent on a steel surface. In combination, these substances can gradually corrode a steel structure, added Kahali.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraphindia.com ...
TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Conspiracy
KEYWORDS: bridge; rust; spit
1
posted on
06/04/2010 9:58:57 PM PDT
by
Dallas59
To: James C. Bennett
2
posted on
06/04/2010 10:00:16 PM PDT
by
grey_whiskers
(The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
To: grey_whiskers
Yes, it’s quite obvious.
Pigeon droppings are actually more potent in destroying steel structures.
To: James C. Bennett
A lakh = 100,000 in Indian.
4
posted on
06/05/2010 12:04:29 AM PDT
by
Jack Black
( Whatever is left of American patriotism is now identical with counter-revolution.)
To: Dallas59
Serious study says saliva slingers spit substance spat on surfaces soon spoils safety, splendor of steel suspension structure.
5
posted on
06/05/2010 2:02:39 AM PDT
by
count-your-change
(You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
To: count-your-change
Serious study says saliva slingers spit substance spat on surfaces soon spoils safety, splendor of steel suspension structure. Ahhhh...memories of Johnny Carson and the Claude Cooper of Cleveland who Copped the Clean Closeted Copper Clappers Caper.
6
posted on
06/05/2010 4:34:15 AM PDT
by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(You can only get smarter by engaging a smarter opponent.)
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
Certainly the Count completely recalls Caron”s corny comments concerning the Claude Cooper of Cleveland who Copped the Clean Closeted Copper Clappers Caper.
My compliments!
7
posted on
06/05/2010 6:47:56 AM PDT
by
count-your-change
(You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
To: count-your-change; Bloody Sam Roberts
I’d attempt a follow-up to your witty posts, but alas, I’m alliterate.
8
posted on
06/05/2010 6:52:06 AM PDT
by
Disambiguator
(Progressivism, Socialism, Marxism, Communism - it's all shades of black.)
To: Disambiguator
I’ve been alternate myself at times, sort of an on and off thing, you know, but not currently.
9
posted on
06/05/2010 7:07:26 AM PDT
by
count-your-change
(You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
To: count-your-change
Ive been alternate myself at times It's ok to be alternating...allow me to be direct...as long as you keep current.
10
posted on
06/06/2010 11:04:48 AM PDT
by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(You can only get smarter by engaging a smarter opponent.)
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
E = I R.
11
posted on
06/06/2010 11:05:45 AM PDT
by
sauropod
(The truth shall make you free but first it will make you miserable.)
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
I feel electrified by your comments but not shocked.
12
posted on
06/06/2010 11:14:03 AM PDT
by
count-your-change
(You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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